Dispensing machine



Dec. 22, 1931. J. R. SKOVERSKI DISPENSING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 m a nm m m7 H A mm 6 Dec. 22, 1931. J. R. SKOVERSKI 1,837,592

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mf mv Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE JOHN R. BKOVERSKI, OF BERKELEY. CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF '10 GEORGE E. ROBERTS AND. ONE-HALF 'I'O JOSEPH SCHOR, BOTH OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALI- FOBNIA DISPENSING MACHINE Application filed Kay 8,

My invention relates to dispensing machines, and particularly to machines for dispensing individual portions of food products in sandwich rolls.

An object of my invention is to provide a device for filling rolls with minced or semlfluid food products in a convenient and appetizing manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide a dispensing machine which will minimize wastage of the product dispensed.

Still another object of my inventlon is to provide a machine which is easily kept clean and sanitary and which protects the contained food product from contamlnatlon.

My invention possesses other ob ects and valuable features, some of which will be set forth in the following description of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not 1imit myself to the showing made by the said descrlptlon and drawings, as I may adopt varying forms of my invention within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical axial sectlonal view of the machine of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view, partly in section, of the hinge joint of the cover of the same, the direction of the view being shown by the arrow 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectlonalyiew, of the machine, the plane of section belng 1nd1- cated by the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of the machine, showing the arrangement of the slide and nozzle operating mechanism.

Considered broadly, my invention comprises a container for the material to be dispensed, which is provided with an axially movable discharge nozzle. Means are provided for extending and retracting this nozzle, and the parts are so arranged that communication between the container and nozzle is opened in time with its extension. Means may be provided for exerting pressure upon the material to force it more rapidly thru the nozzle, and there is also preferably provided means for preventing the emptying of mate- 1928. Serial No. 278,332.

rial retained in the nozzle when it is in the retracted position.

In its preferred form the machine is used for dispensin such foods as chile-con-carne, hash, mincedieef or, other products of similar consistenc A roll, previously hollowed out, is place in front of the nozzle. The nozzle is then extended, entering the roll and injecting a portion of the food product therein, cleanly and without waste. When the nozzle is retracted the operation is complete; the further ejection of material from the hopper is stopped and the discharge orifice is closed, preventing both wasta e of the material and its contamination by ust or insects. The entire operation requires but a few seconds, and many people or few may be served with equal economy of time and material.

In detail, a preferred form of my invention comprises a container 6-of hopper-like form, conveniently a casting integral with a water-jacket 7 and mounted on legs 8. In the bottom of the casting and communicating with the interior of the container thru the port 9 is a passage 10 in-which the tube 11 is slidably mounted to form the nozzle of the machine. A port 12 in the tube 11 registers with the port 8 when the tube is slid forward or extended, thereby opening a communication between the container and the nozzle which is closed by the non-registry of the ports when the tube is retracted.

A plug 13 closes the posterior end of the tube and is secured by the pin 14, the inner end 16 of the plug being shaped to form a smoothly curved passageway from the port 12 into the nozzl A tang 17 is formed on the outer end of the plug, and a yoke 18 is secured to the tang as by the set screw 19.

The yoke is bolted to a slide 21 working in a groove 22 in the base of the container and secured therein by the gibs 23. A link 24 connects the yoke to a hand-lever 26 which is pivotally fastened beneath the center of the container 6 by the screw 27.

A camway 28 is formed in the bottom of the slide. The camway is in the form of a groove having two straight portions running longitudinally of the slide and connected by a short diagonal portion.

A bent lever 29 is pivotally mounted to the base of the container adjacent the slide and a pin 31 in camway. A pin 32 in the other end of the lever is engaged by a slot 33 in a block 34 secured to the 's 'de 35, which hasin it a hole 36 of a size adapted easily to pass the nozzle 11.

The slide works in a slideway 37 formed in the lower part of the face of the container and over the orifice of the passage 10.- It is held in place by a cover-plate 38, the screws 39 with which it is screwed also serving to hold a trough or guide 41 for receiving the roll 42 which the machine is designed to fill.

It will thus be seen that movement of the hand-lever 26 imparts a rectilinear motion to the nozzle 11 and the slide 21. The disosition of the parts is such that as the nozzle 1s brought forward the pin 31 engages the diagonal portion of the camway just before the end of the nozzle reaches the slide 36. Thru the action of the lever 29 this causes the slide to move to bring the hole 36 into position in line with the end of the nozzle.

At the same time the ports 8 andv 11 are brou ht into register so that the material withm the hopper can pass into the rolls. When this operation is complete reverse motion of the hand-lever retracts the nozzle, and the pin and camway cooperate to close the slide immediately the end of the nozzle has receded within the passage 10, thus preventing leakage or contamination of the ma terial within the nozzle.

The materials which it is desired to dispense may be so viscous as not to flow readily thru the nozzle, and means are, therefore,

provided to apply pressure within the container to eject them.

A plunger 51 fits slidably within the con.- tainer, and is mounted on the end of a piston rod 52 which passes thru a gland 53 in a closure 54 which covers the container. On this closure, concentric with the piston rod, is mounted a cylinder 56 within which the piston attached to the rod 52 is fitted. The piston conveniently comprises a pair of cupleathers 58 clamped between the washers 59 by the nut 61.

' The cylinder is closed b a cylinder head 62, formed with a duct 63 t erein ported into the upper end of the cylinder. A similar duct 64 is formed in the closure 54 and is orted into the lower end of the cylinder. These ducts are connected by the pipes 66 and 67 with the three-way cook 68' and the cock is arranged so that a pressure fluid, conducted thereto thru a' ipe 69, may be directed into either end 0 the cylinder at will, the duct at the other end of the cylinder being opened at the same time for exhaust. This is a well known arran ement and the cock will, therefore, not be ascribed in detail. The pressure fluid may be either water, air, carbon dioxide or other fluid as conventhe end of the lever works in the ience may dictate. When the machine is in o er'ation the valve 68 is left in position to direct the ressure continuously into the'top pipe 78 is used, together with the plug 79' which is screwed into one arm of a T 81.

These parts are 'fixed in the brackets 77 to rotate with the closure. The closure is held shut bythe shackle-bolt 82 and wing-nut 83.

The pressure fluid is led to the cylinder thru the hinge. The service pipe 84' is screwed to one arm of. an L fitting 86 whose other arm has a smooth tapered bore. .Within this bore is fitted a hollow tapered plug 87, screwed to the end of the pipe 78 and provided with a port 91 which registers with the inlet opening of the L. A stud 92 on the taper plug carries a nut 93 and washer 94 to compress the spring 96 for holding the taper-joint tight, as is customary in cocks and similar devices. The. pressure fluid passes from the service pipe, thru the movable joint thus formed, the pipe 78, and the T 81, to a pipe 97 connecting from the stem of the T to a second T 98 which connects to the union 99 on the end of the pipe 69, and thence to the cock 68 and the cylinder.

A counting mechanism 101 may be mounted where its tri 102 is engaged by the slide 21, and its dlal observed thru the aperture 103. As each reciprocation of the slide represents a portion served this gives a valuable check on the use of the machine. The rolls used may be of the ordinary kind, hollowed out by means of an auger, or may be specially formed for the purpose.

In order that the food may be served in a palatably heated condition, electric heating elements 104 of the bayonet immersion type are inserted in the lower portion of the water-j acket'. These are controlled by a snap-switch 106, mounted on the end of a shield 107 which is arranged to cover the electrical wiring of the device and the projecting parts of the nozzle reciprocating mechanism.

I claim:

1. A dispensing machine comprising a con-- tainer having a wall enclosing a passage ported into the container, a tube slidably arranged in said passage and having a port adapted to cooperate with the container port, means for reciprocating said tube from a position within the passage to a position extending therefrom, and means for closing the outer ing therefrom, and a slide connected for movement in time with said tube for closing the outer end of the passage when the tube is therewithin. i 4

3. A dispensing machine comprising a container, a discharge nozzle for said container,

valve mechanism cooperating with said discharge nozzle, a demountable closure for the container, a pressure cylinder arranged on the v(ill closure, a piston in said cylinder, a plunger slidable within the container and arranged for movement with said piston, and means for admitting pressure fluid into either end of said 0 linder.

4. A dispensing machine comprising a container, an axially movable discharge nozzle for said container, a lever for extending and retracting said nozzle, a slidemovable to cover the end of said nozzle when in the retracted position, and means actuated by said lever for moving said slide in time with the movement of the nozzle.

5. A dispensing machine comprising a container, an axially movable discharge nozzle for said container, a lever for extending and retracting said nozzle, a slide movable to cover the end of said nozzle when in the retracted position, a cam movable with said lever, and a follower engaging said camfor moving the slide.

6. A dispensing machine comprising a container. an axially movable discharge nozzle for said container, a lever for extending and retracting said nozzle, a slide movable to cover the end of said nozzle when in the retracted position, a cam movable with said lever, a second lever connected with the slide, and a cam follower fixed to said, second lever for moving said slide in time with the movement of the nozzle.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN R. SKOVERSKI. 

